This Raspberry Pi-powered robot can change the shape of its wheels to overcome obstacles

Al Bencomo has created this wonderful 3D-printed robot that can overcome obstacles by changing the shape of its wheels. FRILLER (FRILL Explorer Robot) uses a Raspberry Pi 3 with Android Things OS to control motors connected via an Adafruit Motor HAT. As Al explains it:

The wheel deformation mechanism is composed of two DC geared motors, sliding racks, and an elastic cord. When the motors push out the racks, the wheel diameter becomes larger. The elastic cord around the wheels assists with the return of the spikes to the close position when the motors pull the racks back inside. The wheels remain round for faster travel on roads or indoors, but transform into spikes to overcome obstacles off-road.

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ABOUT ME

Michael Horne

I'm a ColdFusion/SQL web developer living and working in Bedfordshire, UK with my wife and step-children. I'm a Raspberry Pi enthusiast and performer, director and writer for amateur theatre. I am a Christian.

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